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Gavin and Stacey’s Christmas Special, and other festive offerings, streaming exclusively on Britbox

Bryen Dunn

Starring James Corden, Ruth Jones, Matthew Horne and Joanna Page

It’s been ten years since we last went to Billericay to spend Christmas with the Shipmans and the Wests. This year we’re off to Wales for the festivities, where Bryn’s cooking dinner for over thirteen people. Understandably he’s tense. Pam would secretly prefer to spend Christmas in Essex as she finds Gwen’s house a bit lacking. But the deal has always been that they alternate every year and this time it’s the turn of the Wests to host Christmas with everyone under one small roof. For Gavin and Stacey, parenthood continues to present them with several challenges, their ‘baby’ now being ten.

Smithy continues to commit to his fatherly role too, making the journey to Barry at weekends and every second Wednesday to see twelve year old Neil the Baby. Nessa on the other hand adopts her own brand of Nessa-style mothering whilst Pam, Mick and Gwen have become the epitome of doting grandparents. On Christmas Eve, Dawn makes a shocking discovery about Pete that jeopardizes their marriage (again) and a visit to the pub that night is an eye opener in more ways than one. Sit back and enjoy a welcome return to the award-winning world of Gavin and Stacey and top off your Christmas Day with a big festive watch from these well-loved characters.

This relatable yet exciting and completely endearing story was just one of the many series that made James Corden an international star.

As well, the Gavin and Stacey back catalogue will also launch on the service on December 25, making the holidays a most festive and jolly time to binge watch past episodes as well.

December 25, 2019:Gavin and Stacey, Seasons 1-3 A BAFTA Audience Award-winning program, written by renowned comedian and talk show host James Corden and award-winning writer Ruth Jones, Gavin & Staceycentres on Gavin, an ordinary boy from England and Stacey, an ordinary girl from Wales. They speak every day on the phone at work, yet they’ve never met…until now. But when Gavin and Stacey finally meet and their ordinary worlds come together, we see through their families, friends and differences that there’s no such thing as ‘ordinary’ after all. Winner of four British Comedy Awards and Broadcast Award for Best Multichannel program, the beloved sitcom stars Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones and Alison Steadman, with BAFTA-winning performances from James Corden and Rob Brydon.

Other Christmas themed programming of note on Britbox, include:

The Lights Before Christmas: Estates Aglow and Luminous London(World Premiere Original Series)This original series features some of the trails that decorate the most stately homes across the UK, including Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor and Longleat House. From Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree to the Studley Royal Water Garden, the best of these festive illuminations are highlighted.

December 24, 2019:Carols From Kings(North American Premiere – NOW)The celebration of Christmas from the world renowned carols service featuring the boys choir from The Chapel of King’s College Cambridge is a BritBox holiday tradition. This year will feature the story of the Nativity, told in the familiar words of the King James Bible.

December 25, 2019:Hold the Sunset Christmas 2018(Canada – New to BritBox)Will Phil (John Cleese, Fawlty Towers) and Edith (Alison Steadman, Boomers) be able to celebrate Christmas without any drama from her son Roger (Jason Watkins, Trollied) and daughter-in-law Wendy (Rosie Cavaliero, Prey) in this romantic sitcom’s holiday special? Unlikely?

December 25, 2019:The Queen’s Christmas Message(North American Premiere – NOW) Each Christmas, it’s tradition for UK audiences to tune in to the Queen’s Speech and the holiday specials of their favourite soaps. BritBox is extending that tradition to its subscribers in Canada.

December:QI Christmas 2019(North American Premiere)Sandi Toksvig hosts the QI Christmas special with Jason Manford, Romesh Ranganathan, Holly Walsh and Alan Davies. Learn the best way to wrap an awkwardly shaped present and how to get wine stains out of the carpet.

December:Mock the Week Christmas Special(North American Premiere – NOW) From the producers of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the Mock the Week Christmas Special combines the best elements of a panel show with stand-up, as two teams of comedians take a satirical swipe at the news and world events. This laugh-out-loud series is hosted by comedian Dara Ó Briain.

December:Would I Lie to You?At Christmas 2019 (North American Premiere) Lily Allen, Noddy Holder and David Mitchell attempt to outbluff James Acaster, Sian Gibson and Lee Mack with Christmas-themed truth and lies, in the panel show hosted by Rob Brydon.

Finally, although not specifically holiday-themed, 300 Years of French and Saunders, is a hour-long show of laughs that features Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Most widely known for their comedy series, and subsequent movies, Absolutely Fabulous (Ab Fab), these ladies have been creating humorous skits for many years, 300 in fact, as the title alludes to. This special feature goes back to the beginning when these two comedic ladies first began working together, and does an amazing retrospective of all they have done over the past three decades right up until today, as they reunite for the first time in ten years. Not to be missed!

About BritBox

BritBox is a digital video subscription service offering the largest collection of British TV in the U.S. and Canada. Created by two British content powerhouses—BBC Studios, the subsidiary arm of the BBC, and ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster—the service features iconic favourites, exclusive premieres, and current series and soaps—most available within 24 hours after their UK premiere. BritBox also offers expert curation and playlists that enable fans to easily find programs they know and discover new favourites via the web, mobile, tablet and connected TVs. AMC Networks is a minority investor in the service.

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About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.

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